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Aberdeen is called the "Gateway to the Olympic Peninsula," because of it's proximity to the southern end of the peninsula and to Olympic National Park. In recent history Aberdeen has become more famous as being the "Birthplace of Grunge," and the hometown of Nirvana members Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic. A sign welcoming visitors to Aberdeen proclaims "Come As You Are" as a tribute to one of the band. Although it's hard to imagine today, at one point Aberdeen was a notorious Western outpost at the turn of the 20th century, with a number of saloons, brothels, and gambling halls in and around the town. Because of the wild atmosphere associated with these establishments, Aberdeen was nicknamed "The Hellhole of the Pacific."

==Get in==

===By plane===

The nearest major airport (for commercial airlines) is '''Seattle-Tacoma International Airport''' ({{IATA|SEA}}) [http://www.portseattle.org/seatac], which is about 80 miles away. While it's possible to get to Aberdeen via a number of different bus routes (see below under 'By bus'), your best bet is to rent a car, especially if you are using Aberdeen as a jumping point into Olympic National Park as public transportation inside the park is extremely limited.

===By car===

* From '''Interstate 5''' in Olympia or from other places north, go west on US Hwy 101 (I-5 exit #104 in Olympia). The same main highway becomes ''' Hwy 8''' past the "''Shelton, Port Angeles''" exit where US Hwy 101 winds northwards. Follow the Hwy 8 signs to "''Montesano, Aberdeen''" westward. Likewise if coming from south of Centralia along I-5 exit off at '''US Hwy 12''' (Exit #88) and go west on US Hwy 12 to WA-Hwy 8 in Elma and go west on Hwy 8.

* Or come around '''US Hwy 101''' if coming from [[Port Townsend]] or [[Port Angeles]] through Forks.

* From '''Portland''' one can either go up on I-5 to Rochester at exist #88 (see above) or come around a more scenic and slow route on US Hwy 30 to [[Astoria]] and come up on US Hwy 101.

===By bus===

If it's not possible to drive the following are what's available:

* From '''downtown Seattle via Olympia''' is take Greyhound [http://www.greyhound.com] down to Olympia and transfer to Grays Harbor Transit #40 bus [http://www.ghtransit.com/40.html] from the street side of the Greyhound station in Olympia. Likewise one can also travel on Sound Transit #594 from along 2nd Ave in downtown Seattle to Lakewood P&R (south end of the route) and continue to the downtown Olympia Transit Center on Intercity bus #603, 605, 612 or 620 [http://www.intercitytransit.com/mapsandschedules/routemapsandschedules/Pages/To-and-from-Seattle-Weekdays.aspx]] and transfer to Grays Harbor Transit #40.

* From '''the airport (SeaTac) via Olympia''', fastest would be to take the Capital Aeroporter Shuttle [http://www.capair.com] Tel: 360-709-2103 and asked to be dropped off at either the Greyhound station in downtown Olympia or the downtown bus transit center. Otherwise take the 574 bus down to the Lakewood P&R & transfer to Intercity bus #603, 605, 612 or 620 to Olympia. [http://www.intercitytransit.com/mapsandschedules/routemapsandschedules/Pages/To-and-from-SeaTac-Weekdays.aspx]

==Get in==* From '''[[Port Angeles]]''' (by Victoria ferry terminal) take the #14 bus [http://www.clallamtransit.com/route-maps.html] to [[Forks]]. In Forks transfer to the Jefferson Transit ''Olympic Connection'' bus [http://jeffersontransit.com/maps-schedules/schedules/] to the other end of the route at Amanda Park and than transfer to Grays Harbor Transit #60 bus [http://www.ghtransit.com/60.html] to Aberdeen. They're usually timed for one to meet the other.* From '''Raymond, WA''', Take the [http://www.pacifictransit.org/routes/rt14.html Pacific Transit #14] bus

The nearest major airport is '''Seattle-Tacoma International Airport ({{IATA|SEA}}) [http://www.portseattle.org/seatac], which is about 80 miles away. While it's possible Note that access to get to Aberdeen via a number of different bus routes, you're best bet is to rent a car, especially if you are using Aberdeen as a jumping point into the Olympic National Park as or any remote locations off the main roads are not doable by public transportation inside the park is extremely limited. It's either private automobile or hike in and out.

* <buy name="Kaufman Scroggs Furniture" alt="" address="101 East Heron Street, Aberdeen," directions="" phone="360-532-0630" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">In business for over 100 years, this is the place to buy quality furniture at an affordable price.</buy>

*<eat name="The Dog House" alt="" address="100 N. Park Street" directions="" phone="(360) 533-2119" url="http://www.thedoghouse-aberdeen.com/" hours="" price="" lat="" long="">Not your average hot dog stand, the Dog House offers a variety Out of brats, wursts and their famous "Big Un.'" They also offer chicken, fishbusiness, hamburgers and legit cheese steaks. All of their food is flame-broiled and made to orderno longer there. Kid friendly menu is available and make sure to try the home-cooked chili!Now Thai smiles</eat>

*<eat name="Billy's Bar and Grill" alt="" address="322 E. Heron Street" directions="" phone="(360) 533-7144" url="" hours="" price="" lat="" long="">Go for the great food and drink, stay for the haunting! Billy's Bar and Grill sits in an old Sailor's Union of the Pacific building, which was supposedly the workplace of William F. "Billy" Gohl, a notorious figure in Aberdeen who worked as a bartender by day, but as a strongman for the Sailor's Union by night. Legend has it that if sailor's didn't comply to union rules, that Billy's job was to make them disappear. Sit down for a cold drink at the bar and see if you can spot ghosts that still roam free throughout the establishment. </eat>

*<drink name="Starbucks" alt="" address="1202 E. Wishkah Street" directions="" phone="(360) 532-0349" url="http://www.starbucks.com" hours="" price="" lat="" long="">Even in the remote areas of the Olympic Peninsula, you can find a branch of Seattle's famous coffee shop. You know the deal: coffee, lattes, espressos, specialty drinks and a variety of snacks and sandwiches. </drink>

*<drink name="Coffee Bean Cafe and Popcorn Factory" alt="" address="101 E. Wishkah Street" directions="" phone="(360) 532-3377" url="" hours="" price="" lat="" long="">An alternate to Starbucks with coffee and snacks, but has one thing the giant coffee company doesn't offer: popcorn! Sit outside in sidewalk seating or head down on a Friday evening for live music.</drink>

Aberdeen has been referred to as the 'Gateway to the Olympic Peninsula' and is a great stop off before venturing into this impressive range. The Olympic Peninsula is home to some of the few temperate rain forests in the world, including the Hoh, Queets, and Quinault. The Olympic mountain range sits in the center of the Olympic Peninsula. This range is the second largest in Washington State. Its highest peak is Mt. Olympus.